Cruising the Caribbean
By Fiery-chan and Angel13
The Element of Water: Fiery is off eating pudding cups so we, the Elements, will be doing today's author note.
The Element of Fire: Stupid girl.
The Element of Wind: Hey! No fair! I want a pudding cup!
Fire: Shut up Breeze Boy!
The Element of Earth: Yes, well moving on. Thank you to all of the reviewers. The last chapter may be a thank you chapter with thanks to each person who reviewed. This is the last week of the cruise!
Water: It was a long road coming, this is the twenty third chapter and we're sad to see it end.
Wind: However, Fiery and Angel have been tossing ideas for a sequel back and forth. There is hope!
Fire: Here comes my Elemental. It seems she has finished her pudding cup. So we'll do the disclaimer then she'll take it away.
Disclaimer: Same as usual. The girls do not own Digimon, but they pretend to. They own an ocean in Kansas and Fiery holds anime creators hostage in her closet but that's about it.
Chapter 23: Does this dress make me look fat?
Evan sat on a lounge chair by the pool and watched the splash fight that was going on between Ryo, Rika, Emily, Becky, Fio, and Kila. Takato, Jeri, Kazu, Kenta, and Jodie were off somewhere and Henry and Missy were down at the spa. Evan grinned as he watched Kila jump on Ryo and dunk him under.
"Good one Ki!" He cried. Kila smiled and waved to him, unaware of the big splash Rika had sent at her. The water hit its target and Kila screamed, splashing water at Rika at full force. Evan laughed at the two girls and turned back to the magazine he was reading.
A girl with strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes tapped Evan on the shoulder.
"Hi! My name is Rose Wallace. I'm here to tell you about an exciting offer from the Seaqueen. Are those your friends?" She asked, motioning in the direction of the kids in the pool.
"Yup. So what's the exciting offer?" Evan asked.
"Tomorrow night, the Seaqueen will be holding a formal open to all passengers. It will be held in the ballroom from 8:00 pm until 2:00 am. Men come in tuxedos, women in evening gowns." She handed Evan a flyer. "This gives all the details. I have to go now. Other people must be told. Hope to see you there!" She waved goodbye and ran off to tell the other passengers who were lounging on the deck.
"A ball. This may be very interesting." Evan mused.
*****
Missy sat cross-legged on Henry's bed, watching his expression as he read the flyer that the girl had given them. He put the paper down and looked up at her.
"So, can we go?" Missy asked.
"Sure, why not. I'm sure the others are going, we should too. Besides, it'll be fun to get dressed up."
"And you're going with me right?"
"Yup." Henry smiled to her and stood up. "Let's go grab something to eat. I'm starved." Missy got up and followed him out the door, beaming.
*****
"Wow, that sounds like fun." Kila said. Everyone had come out of the pool and gathered around Evan who was telling them about the ball and what the girl had told him.
"Definitely. Balls are always beautiful." Becky replied.
"Right you are Beck." Ryo said with a grin. "So wildcat, may I have the honor of escorting you to the ball?" Rika smiled.
"Of course."
"Hey Becky, Fio, the three of us should go guy scouting. We're going to need dates." Emily said.
"Yeah, we will." Becky replied. Fio nodded. She saw the glances Evan and Kila had exchanged. She had no chance with him. "Let's go then." Rebecca stood up and led the other two girls away.
"So Kila, may I be your date?" Evan asked. Kila laughed.
"Sure, why not. What harm could it do?" Evan smiled.
"You should be honored. Going to a ball with the great Evan Cole is a once in a lifetime opportunity." Evan said, pretending to be conceited.
"Watch yourself Cole." Kila warned with a laugh. Rika smirked. They were getting along so well.
*****
"Hot guy alert." Rebecca said, pointing to three guys who were sitting on the sand of the beach.
"So what do we do? Just walk up and say hi?" Fio asked. "I'm not sure I want to do this."
"Come on girl, where's your sense of adventure?" Emily asked. "I call the one on the left." She walked up and sat down next to him, striking up a conversation.
"She's good." Rebecca said, quite impressed.
"Definitely." Fiona replied.
"Hey Fio, don't be all bummed out about the Evan and Kila thing. Dollars to doughnuts something happens and Missy and Henry break up and Henry and Kila get back together. Then you can try your luck with Evan. Now come on, let's go snag some hotties." Becky said with a laugh, dragging Fiona over to the others.
*****
Ryo, Rika, Evan, Kila, Henry, and Missy sat at a table in the ship's restaurant. They were patiently awaiting the arrival of the others. Emily, Fiona, and Rebecca walked in and took seats at the table. Takato, Jeri, Kazu, Jodie, and Kenta walked in a couple of minutes after the girls and took their seats as well. After a few quick hellos, the waiter came to take their drink orders. After he left, the topic of the ball came up.
"Is everyone here going?" Takato asked.
"Becky, Fio, and I have yet to find dates." Emily said.
"Yeah, same here." Kenta added.
"Then you can go with one of us, Kenta." Rebecca replied.
"I'll go with him." Emily offered.
"Ok, sure." Kenta replied.
"And Kazu and Jodie are going together, along with me and Jeri. I assume Rika and Ryo right?" Takato asked.
"Yup." Ryo said. "And Kila and Evan along with Henry and Missy. Becky and Fio, you two have to get dates soon."
"Yeah Ryo, we're well aware of that." Rebecca said.
"What about when you guys went off to find people from town?" Rika asked.
"Either they had dates, weren't going, or weren't Seaqueen passengers." Fiona explained.
"Aww too bad. But I'm sure you girls will find someone." Evan said.
"Hopefully." Fiona replied, somewhat doubtfully.
"Be a little optimistic Fio!" Becky cried. "We'll find the best guys possible. Then we'll be the talk of the town!" Everyone laughed.
"We also need dresses and tuxedos." Jodie pointed out.
"Ooh, right. Well there's tons of stores here. We can split up and check them out after dinner." Kila said.
"Yeah, good idea." Missy replied. "Hopefully we won't buy the same dress as someone else. That would be embarrassing."
"I agree." Becky said. "You want to be original. Not a carbon copy of someone else. We'll have to shop carefully."
"Let's move on to a NEW TOPIC!" Ryo cried, causing everyone to burst out laughing.
[A/N: That part was dedicated to the Fab4 because they know what I'm talking about.]
Dinner came and everyone ate everything. When they finished, they were quite full.
"Why do I always over eat?" Kazu asked.
"Yeah, I feel like I could just blow up at any second!" Evan added.
"Please refrain from doing so." Emily said.
"Let's get out of here. Burn off all this food before it goes straight to my thighs." Rebecca said.
"Good idea. Let's go." Ryo said standing up. They paid the bill and then left the restaurant and headed onto St. Croix.
*****
Once on the island, Jeri, Jodie, Kazu, Kenta, and Takato headed off in one direction, Emily, Fio, Becky, and Evan headed off in another, and Kila, Missy, Rika, Ryo, and Henry went in another. The first stop the five made was in a store called Nordstrom. The five walked towards the couture department and sorted through the clothes. Missy pulled out a jade green strapless dress that was formfitting until the waist and then flowed out slightly. The silk and sheer fabrics fell down along the dress, creating elegant patterns. Rika pulled out a halter-top lilac dress that was formfitting all the way down. It had silver glitter scattered throughout the entire thing. Kila took a satin, baby blue spaghetti-strapped gown that flowed straight down like Rika's. Pale blue sheer fell over the dress in a criss cross pattern.
The three girls took their dresses to the dressing room and tried them on. All three were happy with their choices. Next, the guys picked out tuxedos which consisted of black pants, white shirts, black jackets, and ties. After everything was picked out, including shoes and handbags, the five paid for their purchases and left the store.
The five walked along the boardwalk, carrying their heavy Nordstrom packages. They stopped at a café and picked up some smoothies to take back to their rooms.
*****
Rika sat on her bed and brushed out her wet hair. She had just taken her shower and was now trying to get all the knots out. Jeri walked in and put her bags down on her bed.
"I can't wait for tomorrow night!" Jeri exclaimed.
"Yeah, it's going to be great." Rika replied. She tossed her hair over her head and continued brushing. "We're going to have a lot of fun."
"Definitely." Jeri replied.
*****
The night of the ball came and everyone was rushing to get ready for it. Rika slipped into her dress and handed the brush to Kila who was in charge of doing hair. All the girls had gathered in Rika and Jeri's room and all the guys were in the guy's room next door. Kila began putting twists into Rika's hair and pulling it into an up-do on top of her head. Becky tossed her a curling iron and Kila added some curls to the top. Emily sprayed Rika's hair with the big bottle of hairspray then went off to spray Jodie's. All the girls talked and laughed as they did their hair and makeup.
"I really love this dress." Kila said, spinning around in her baby blue dress.
"That dress looks great on you." Emily commented.
"Thanks I like yours too." Kila replied. Emily's dress was long and crimson red in color.
"Everyone picked out such gorgeous dresses." Becky said, spinning around in her sliver and black dress.
"Did you girls ever find dates for tonight?" Rika asked.
"Yes. We'll be meeting them at the ballroom." Becky replied.
"What if they stand you up?" Missy asked.
"Then we'll have a big problem won't we?" Rebecca countered. Everyone laughed.
*****
After a few hours of preparation, the girls were ready. Jeri pulled out her camera and took a bunch of pictures. The girls looked at each other in the large mirror. Each was incredibly beautiful. Rika in a lilac, Kila in baby blue, Jeri in yellow, Jodie in cream, Missy in green, Fio in white and silver, Becky in black and silver, and Emily in red.
"Well girls, I'd say we're ready." Kila announced. "Who's going through the door first?"
"I am." Rika announced. She walked to the door, opened it, and stepped through into the other room.
*****
"Oh my god." Ryo whispered.
"Damn. Hotness." Evan said with a laugh. The other guys were smiling. Tomboyish Rika, the one who hated frilly dresses was wearing a gorgeous, flowing evening gown. Seeing her like that brought tears to their eyes.
"Rika, you're gorgeous." Ryo said. He took a few quick strides and crossed the room to where she was standing. He took her small hands in his and squeezed them lightly. Then he stepped back and spun her around, taking in all of her breath-taking radiance. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her. "You truly are beautiful."
"Thanks." Rika smiled up at him and they went back to where Ryo was previously standing to allow the next girl in.
Kila came through next. Henry was smiling and Evan gave a low whistle.
"Hey Kila, you look great." He said.
"Thanks." Kila smiled and walked over to him. All the other girls came through and soon everyone was in the boy's room, taking a lot of pictures.
*****
After what seemed like an hour of picture taking, it was time to go. Everyone left the room and headed down to the large and extravagant ballroom. People had already arrived and were either sitting at tables, getting food from the buffet, or dancing.
"Hey Becky!" A boy with blonde hair and gray eyes skipped over to the group.
"Hi Jayson! Guys, this is my date Jayson."
"Nice to meet you all. I'll learn your names later. You look absolutely stunning Becky."
"Thanks." Becky replied with a smile. "Where's Jeff?"
"He's…" Jayson scanned the crowd then pointed. "Right there. Jeff! Come here!" He called. A boy, who looked like he could be Jayson's twin ran over.
"I was looking for you over there. Hey Fio. You look great." He said.
"Guys, this is my twin brother Jeff. Jeff, this is everyone. We'll learn their names later." Jayson said.
"Ok. Hello everyone." Jeff replied. "Come on, let's go in."
Everyone walked inside and found tables. Becky, Fio, Jeff, and Jayson sat at one. Kila, Evan, Rika, Ryo, Missy, and Henry at another, Jeri, Takato, Emily, Kazu, Jodie, and Kenta at a third. Ryo stood up and brought Rika out to the dance floor as a slow song was coming on. He put his hands around her waist as Rika wrapped her arms around his neck. Rika rested her head on his shoulder and smiled up at him.
"I'm liking this Akiyama." She commented.
"Me too pumpkin, me too." Ryo leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips, caressing her cheek and jaw with his thumb. Rika smiled and pulled away, allowing her body to sway with his.
'What a perfect moment.' She thought to herself. 'Just like a fairytale.'
A/N: Ok that's it for this chapter. Angel can finish up the ball. I'm quite tired right now. Ok, well peace out folks! Review!
Luv'n'stuff!
Fiery-chan and Angel13